Means for dimming radio lights



Dec. 28, 1937. J. L. M WEENY MEANS FOR DIMMING RADIO LIGHTS Filed NOV. 19, 1956 771/9230)":- JEMZ. M

Z7 ZZ Patented Dec. 28, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEANS FOR DIMMING RADIO LIGHTS John L. McWeeny, Chicago, Ill.

Application November 19, 1936, Serial No. 111,707

5 Claims.

My invention relates to radio receiving sets and particularly to means for automatically dimming amount of current consumed.

In another embodiment to the set is interrupted performed by the operator.

The invention will be of the idea a simple more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawing, in

which,

Fig. 1 is a sectional view through a form of apparatus such as contemplated;

Fig. 2 is a wiring diagra ;hown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a wiring diagram in for the apparatus showing means opertble by a push button for accomplishing the deired result.

In the example shown in ide, on the shaft ID, for ope enser or other tuning mech Figs. 1 and. 2 I prorating a variable conanism, a magnet con- I4 is reciprocable on pins I5, springs l5 serving to separate the parts except when energized. Contacts I! are closed by a contact piece l8 carried by the contact piece 2 tacts 22 and 22a.

the lights are dimmed.

As a means for bringing about the breaking of the circuit through the contacts each of said branches containing heat generating resistance for energizing the same,

Breaking the circuit through the branch 3| will de-energize the magnet and break the contacts [1, the current then passing to the lights through the resistance 28 and remaining in this condition until a subsequent tuning serves to close the second pair of contacts 22a and to repeat the operation through the branch 32 of the circuit.

In the construction shown in the diagram of automatic feature. In that construction a push button GE! serves to move a switch arm 4| into engagement with a contact 42, the switch arm being retained in contact-making position by the latch 3. However, the resistance element 44 immediately generates heat and causes movement of the thermo-sensitive element 45 with consequent tripping of the latch 43 and the breaking of the circuit. With the circuit broken the current will be delivered to the light through the resistance 28 as heretofore described. In the last named construction the operator must push the button whenever he wishes full light, the return to dim light being automatically brought about.

It will be understood that I have illustrated only typical apparatus and that modifications may be made in many of the features without departure from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. In means of the class described, the combination of a light circuit having a switch, said circuit having resistance therein when the switch is open, and means for controlling said switch including a magnet having a movable part, a circuit for energizing said magnet to move said part and close said switch and short circuit said resistance, means for closing said last named circuit, said last named circuit including resistance for generating heat, and a thermostat positioned to be afiected by said heat and acting to break said last named circuit after the expiration of 'a predetermined time, whereby to de-energize said magnet and open said switch and thereby to place said resistance in circuit with said light.

2. In light control apparatus for radio receiving sets, the combination of a light and a circuit a circuit breaker in said circuit, resistance across the poles of said circuit breaker, and means for actuating said circuit breaker, including a magnet, the armature of which is connected to the circuit breaker, a second circuit for energizing said magnet whereby to effect the closing of said circuit breaker, means for closing said second circuit, said second circuit including resistance for generating heat, a thermo-sensitive element in position to be af iected by said heat, and a switch operated by said element to break said second circuit after a predetermined time.

3. In light control apparatus for radio receiving sets, the combination of a light and a circuit for energizing the same, a circuit breaker in said circuit, resistance across the poles of said circuit breaker and means for actuating said circuit breaker, including a magnet, the armature of which is connected to the circuit breaker, a second circuit for energizing said magnet whereby to efiect the closing of said circuit breaker, means for closing said second circuit, said means being operable by the radio tuning mechanism, said second circuit including resistance for generating heat, a thermo-sensitive element in position to be affected by said heat, and a switch operated by said element to' break said second circuit after a predetermined time.

4; In light control apparatus for radio receiving sets, the combination of a light and a circuit for energizing the same, a circuit breaker in said circuit, resistance across the poles of said circuit breaker, and means for actuating said circuit breaker, including a magnet, the armature of which is connected to the circuit breaker, a second circuit for energizing said magnet whereby to effect the closing of said circuit breaker, means for closing said second circuit, said second circuit having two branches, means operable by the tuning mechanism of the radio for alternately completing the second circuit through said two branches, each of said branches including resistance, a thermostat placed to be affected by the heat of said resistance, and a switch operated by each thermostat for breaking'said second circuit through one branch and connecting the other branch in readiness for a subsequent closing of the circuit by the operation of said tuning mechanism.

, 5. In means for automatically controlling the degree of brilliancy of the dial lights in a radio receiving set comprising, in combination, a light, and a circuit for energizing the same, a switch in said circuit, a resistance shunt across said switch and means for actuating said switch including a magnet having an armature, a second circuit for energizing said magnet and thereby moving said armature to close said switch, a radio tuning shaft, a multiple point switch operated by said shaft, said second circuit being connected through said shaft, said second circuit being connected through said multiple point switch and having two branches adapted to be alternately connected to complete said circuit by said multiple point switch, resistance elements in each of said branches, a-thermostat placed to be affected by the heat of said resistance elements, and a third switch actuated selectively by said thermostats to alternately open the circuit through one branch and close the circuit through the other branch.

- JOHN L. MCWEENY. 

